Page 14 of Trusting You
“We cannot go there, Em,” I began to panic. I hadn’t been to Shakers in years. I hadn’t wanted to after the night I’d had there with Jason. I’d stayed away for a reason, and now I was being forced to go back. My present was running head first into my past, and I was powerless to stop it.
“Why?” Emma’s forehead crinkled as she made the final turn into the parking lot of the bar. “Have you been here before?”
“No, well once. It was a long time ago,” I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. “I didn’t have a very good time,” I groaned.
“Tonight will be different,” Emma giggled as she cut the engine. “I promise,” she reached over and squeezed my hand. “Just give it a chance. Trust me.”
How was it supposed to be different? Here I was dressed and painted up like the old me at a bar where I let my boyfriend take advantage of my naivety, and she wanted me to trust her. Hell, I didn’t even trust myself at this point.
Chapter 6
Melinda
The music was pounding when we stepped through the doors at Shakers. It was packed, and as I read the drink special above the bar I could tell why. All drinks, one dollar.
“Are they for real?” I flicked my hand at the sign.
“Told you it was a good deal,” Em laughed as we weaved our way through the crowd.
The dance floor was packed, and there was a band tonight. “Who’s ready to get drunk tonight?” the lead singer shouted into the mic, causing the entire room to begin hooting and hollering. “That’s good because my man, Mark, at the bar will set you up, and if you’re real good ladies, I’ll show you my truck later,” he winked before turning to nod to the drummer who began hitting his sticks together. Soon, music blared through the speakers, making it difficult to talk.
“Let’s get a drink and then get our groove on!” Em shouted in my ear. I nodded and followed her to the bar.
Em ordered some pink fruity looking thing, but I stuck to my usual rum and Coke. I rarely ever drank nowadays, and when I did it was never something new. I liked to stick with what I knew I could handle. My eyes went wide when I watched the bartender flip the bottle upright. The clear liquid seemed to run continuously, making me wonder how many I’d be able to have before calling it quits tonight.
“Let’s dance,” I pointed to dance floor after we paid.
Em and I sipped our drinks as we moved to the music. It was crowded and the smoke machine that was running in the corner made it hard to see. I was sure after a few hours that I was going to look like a hot mess. Sweat was already starting to bead across my body, and the alcohol was making it worse. Anytime I drank I ran a little hot.
“Are you having fun?” Em laughed as a drunken smile spread across her face. We’d had a few at this point. I bobbed my head before tipping it back and finishing my current drink. “Are you glad you came?” her smile spread farther. If she smiled any bigger I was afraid she might get a cramp in her face.
“Sure,” I laughed. “How many of those have you had, Em?”
She shrugged, “Not sure.”
“Maybe you should slow down. You drove,” I pointed out.
“Not worried about that,” her eyes widened. “Hey don’t be mad, ok?” she stopped dancing and stared at me. “Remember how much fun you’re having,” she leaned closer and I thought she was going to hug me. Her eyes darted over my shoulder right when I heard his voice.
“You look so hot right now,” came as a growl right beside my ear.
I froze before narrowing my eyes and turning to glare at him. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“Em invited me,” Aaron shrugged before Brock stepped out from behind him.
“Correction,” Brock chuckled. “Em invited me,” he pointed to his chest. “You invited yourself,” he shoved Aaron’s shoulder before moving over to Emma and wrapping his arms around her. “Thanks for the photo. I’m glad I came,” he nuzzled her neck, making both Aaron and I gag.
“Selfie time, huh,” I glared at her.
“You’re having fun,” Emma waved her finger at me like a parent would a child. She was going to regret that tomorrow. Tonight she was too drunk to really regret anything.
“Can we talk?” Aaron leaned in so I could hear him.
I needed to be strong, to resist him, but I couldn’t. He smelled so good, and I think I may have sniffed his neck. The cologne he wore smelled like the beach, and the shirt covering his arms and chest showed every muscle and ripple on his lifeguard body.
“I thought I was pretty clear when I didn’t answer your calls. We have nothing to talk about,” I crossed my arms over my chest and I watched Aaron’s eyes zero in on my chest.
“Fuck,” he muttered under his breath. One hand rose to rake through his hair as he shook his head. He stepped closer to me, causing us to almost touch. I swallowed as I tipped my head back to look up at his eyes. “Where has this been,” he lightly touched my shoulder. “You’re like a walking fantasy tonight,” he leaned down again, letting his lips brush against my ear as he talked. My entire body went stiff as his warm breath hit my neck. I tried to not to react, but the shiver that ran through me caused him to chuckle lightly.
